Restovich powers Twins past Red Sox

FORT MYERS, Fla.  Michael Restovich homered and drove in three runs for the Minnesota Twins in a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

Associated Press

Published
12:00 am EST, Sunday, March 7, 2004

Restovich and Matthew LeCroy each hit two-run doubles in a five-run fifth inning against Colter Bean, who took the loss.

Pete Munro, vying for several open spots in the Twins bullpen, struck out two in two perfect innings for the victory.

Byung-Hyun Kim threw two scoreless innings in his first spring start for the Red Sox.

Kim went 8-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 49 appearances for Boston last season after arriving in a trade with Arizona, but he pitched mostly out of the bullpen. This year, hes in line for a spot in the rotation.

"I know that I have the confidence once I stand on the mound," Kim said through a translator.

Kim said his back has been bothering him since spring training began, but that its been getting better. Kim said the right ankle he bruised last year caused him to use his upper body more in his sidearm delivery, which put more strain on his back.

Johnny Damon, sporting a thick beard and long, shaggy hair down to his shoulder blades, went 0-for-3 in his spring debut for the Red Sox.

David Ortiz, who played for the Twins from 1998-2002 and still has several close friends on the team, homered off Brad Radke on the first pitch of the second inning.

Ortiz, who also doubled and scored in the fourth off J.D.

Durbin, hit a belt-high fastball into the lagoon behind the right field wall.

Radke allowed two hits and struck out two in the first spring start of his 10th major-league season. His shoulder was a little sore over the winter, but a routine examination revealed no problems.

"Just a 10-year checkup, thats all it is," Radke said. "If I play another 10 years, Ill get one more. If there was something wrong, I probably wouldnt be pitching today."